15 Ways to Arrange Furniture in an Open Floor Plan

Open-concept floor plans are all the rage right now. While having taller ceilings and fewer walls make your digs feel lighter, brighter and bigger, it can also pose a few challenges when it's time to arrange furniture. Here are some products and design concepts that will help get things moving.

Modular furniture gives you lots of versatility and flexibility. Because it can be split up into smaller pieces, it's easier to move. That means you can change things up at a moment's notice without a lot of hassle. Kids having a slumber party and wanting to hang out in front of the TV? No problem! Split the sofa up, then push the pieces into the corners of the room. Modular furniture can also change with your lifestyle, so transforming a couple of loveseats into a cozy sectional as your family grows is a snap.

If you do a lot of entertaining, an oversized U-shape sectional could be just what you need to create a cozy lounge feel. The shape of the sofa itself really delineates the space, so it's also a good choice for floating in the middle of a room. Add a few stools or ottomans into the mix if you like to throw big parties; they can serve double duty as seating or a spot to place a drink in a pinch.

Open floor plans can be just as quirky as any other layout. Sometimes a narrow space is light and bright but placing furniture in it can be a bear. That's when the long sofa comes into play. It's not only chic and sophisticated, it'll provide plenty of seating whether you're hosting an HOA meeting or a girls' night.

When it comes to furniture placement, sometimes all you need to do is look up for inspiration. Light fixtures can be an excellent guidepost for arranging. Placing a table or special piece of furniture under a large fixture can really set the tone for your space. Then, bring in more pieces and work your way out from there arranging the room.

When it comes to designing and decorating an open-concept space, TVs can be tricky especially if full walls are a hot commodity. This is even more reason to make the most of staircase walls, as they're the ideal height for hanging a TV. To give the whole area some weight, add a long, low-slung dresser or grouping of bedside tables underneath to create a more substantial media console. And don't worry — leaning and hanging art around the TV won't detract from your binge-watching in the slightest. It'll just look amazing.

Another way to make the most of a long console (or group of dressers) is placing it along the back of a sofa. Not only is this a clever way to create an extra-long sofa table, it'll help ground your sofa if it's floating in the middle of the room. And all the drawers give you the extra storage that most sofa tables may not provide.

Getting the most out of every piece of furniture isn't just a good rule for those living in small spaces, it's also true for open-concept living. You may not have a dedicated office, but that doesn't mean you don't have access to a fully functional desk. An accent table with drawers is perfect for catching up on emails or doing a quick conference call.

If you find yourself furnishing a large space or trying to accommodate an extra-long sofa, you may find that buying two standard-sized coffee tables is the way to go. For one, it'll probably cost less than buying one oversized coffee table (or having one custom-made for mucho $$$). Also, when it's time rearrange, it'll be a lot easier on your lower back. Down the line, if you move into a different space, you can always split the coffee tables up.

Another way to cozy up an open living room is by creating a reading nook. By simply adding some warm task lighting and a shelf or two of your favorite books, you've designed a cozy zone that'll encourage quality relaxation.

Depending on how you use your space, don't feel obligated to invest in an extra-large table. If you entertain a lot or just like to kick your feet up, sometimes having a smaller table with a couple of extra poufs or ottomans nearby is the better choice.

When buying a dining room table, choose one that offers you more functionality than ever before. No longer just for Sunday dinners, your new table and the furniture around it should serve you well. Think of it as a dining room, homework station, conference table and party buffet all wrapped into one.

It's an oldie but a goodie worth repeating, especially when it comes to living in an open-concept floor plan. Rugs are such a great way to delineate space, and they don't have to match to play well together. Different sizes and textures will work, as long as they're in the same color family or complement one another. One rule to follow: Keep at least the front legs of your furniture on the rug, otherwise, the rug may feel too small for the space.